Midfielder Alex Pattison has praised manager Graham Alexander's calmness and attention to detail as Bradford City look to come out of a run of five matches without a win over senior opposition.

Saturday's FA Cup exit at the hands of Cheltenham Town came on the back of four successive League One draws, a run only broken up by a 5-2 Football League Trophy win over Everton's Under-21s.

But just as it was important not to get too carried away when the newly-promoted side went top of League One in September, so context is important now as well.

They go into Saturday's game at home to Burton Albion still in the automatic promotion places – albeit Cardiff City and Stevenage have games in hand to overtake them.

CONFIDENCE: Bradford City's Alex Pattison (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

placeholder image — CONFIDENCE: Bradford City's Alex Pattison (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

Two of their draws have come against opponents – Stevenage and Lincoln City – currently in the play-off places, and the first came at the start of an upturn in form for Rotherham United.

Championship Coventry City's Hallowe'en defeat to Wrexham ended the only unbeaten run in English league football this season, but the Bantams have only been defeated once – at Doncaster Rovers in early September. Not even divisional leaders Stockport County can say that.

They have also qualified for the knockout stages of the Football League Trophy even before Tuesday's dead rubber at a Doncaster side who are also through. They have got to within a game of the Wembley final for the last two seasons running, as a League Two club.

So whilst a return to winning ways will be very welcome against the Brewers, there is no disguising what a good start to the season it has been for Bradford after taking a step up in division in their stride.

CALMNESS: Bradford City manager Graham Alexander (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

A big factor has been Alexander's refusal to over-react to setbacks, or get carried away by the high points. With a fanbase as passionate as Bradford's, that can sometimes be easier said than done but it is why he will be celebrating his second anniversary in the job on Thursday.

“I think he's just so level-headed," said Pattison.

“He tells us what he wants us to do. He really goes into depth in how he wants us to play.

“You can probably see the lads know the roles to a tee. That all comes down from the gaffer and Skip (Chris Lucketti, his asssitant).

“Even at half-time, his team talks are short and sweet. He gets to the point really quick and lets us know what he wants us to do and gives us gameplans.

“We go out there and follow them and they've been working.”

Alexander is the first Bantams manager to stay in post for two years since Phil Parkinson’s near-five-year spell from 2011 to 2016.

His belief in his players is matched by a confidence in themselves, which has only been increased by their start to the season.

“We know the quality we've got," said the former Harrogate Town player. “You’ve seen how good we've been in all the games and we've played some great opposition.

“Our start probably looked really tough on paper but we’ve come away with one loss. We just want to keep winning games."